Creating visual work with the power of sound

Photographer Jordan Lee Garbutt uses exploding paint to give form to that invisible wonder of sound.

As a photographer, Jordan’s worked on stock libraries, lifestyle campaigns, catalogues, and even worked with the famed Annie Leibovitz for Vogue Editorials.

How sonic bursts of luminous colour erupt from the surface of a speaker to create never to be repeated moments is Jordan’s signature work. To arrive at images that seem so free requires the meticulous planning of a physics experiment and precision technology.

The acrylic paint is arranged on a membrane stretched over the speaker, the camera set to record an event just millimetres in size and momentary in time. Jordan then chooses the sound he wishes to play out in paint. Behind the high-tech, Jordan’s is an artistic mind inspired by the ideas of John Lennon and the characters and dialogue of Quentin Tarantino films.

This is a demonstration of a law of physics that Energy cannot be created or destroyed – only transformed from one form to another. From thousands of captured images, Jordan chose eleven to make up his ‘Power of Sound’ exhibition. A visual presentation celebrating the individuality in everything.

Each piece accompanied by a poetic narrative from writer Mo Libretto. For a closer look, catch The Power of Sound exhibition on until 12 August at Jordan’s studio called: ‘The Balcony’ at 157 Victoria Road, Woodstock, Cape Town.